Ways to implement preschool inclusion: A multiple-case study

Abstract

This study is about preschool inclusion. It concentrates on ways to implement inclusion, on support for children with disabilities, and on the quality of inclusion practices, and it adopts a mixed method approach and a multiple-case study design. Participating in the study were twenty-five staff members and fourteen children aged three to five with different disabilities from six inclusive preschool units in Sweden. Observations and focus group interviews were conducted and analyzed. The preschool units in the study have a specialised or comprehensive organisational typology; they implement full inclusion, partial inclusion, or outdoor inclusion; and they provide various types of support to facilitate the children's sense of belonging, involvement, and development. As well, the preschool units incorporate a number of inclusive practices that are of nearly good, good, or nearly excellent overall quality. This study can form a basis for interesting discussions on preschool inclusion and the ways it can be implemented.

Keywords

• Early childhood inclusion
• Inclusive classroom profile (ICP)
• Quality
• Sustainable development goal 4
• Treatment intervention programme